Chapter 13 - The Cornered Rat's Last Gamble
The cold autumn wind whipped across the cobblestone courtyard of the Moretti estate, carrying the scent of impending rain.
Luca stood near the center fountain, his hands resting inside his coat pockets, an imposing figure of absolute authority.
I stood a few paces behind him near the library doors, watching the dramatic confrontation unfold below.
Two armed security guards dragged a sweating, panic-stricken man across the wet stones toward the fountain.
It was Robert Vance, Marcus Vance’s younger brother and a ruthless corporate litigator known for handling dirty legal maneuvers.
He stumbled forward, his expensive suit wrinkled and soaked from the morning mist, glaring furiously at Luca.
“You can't do this, Moretti!” Robert shouted, struggling against the guards' iron grip.
“This is a federal subpoena issued by a court-appointed receiver; blocking our access is a felony offense!”
Luca didn't flinch.
He walked slowly toward the struggling lawyer, stopping inches away from his face.
“Show me the judge's signature, Robert,” Luca demanded, his voice chillingly calm.
Robert hesitated, his eyes darting sideways as he clutched a thick leather briefcase to his chest.
“The... the magistrate’s signature is being processed downtown, but we have statutory authority—”
“You have nothing,” Luca interrupted coldly, reaching out with lightning speed.
He grabbed the leather briefcase from Robert’s grip with one hand and slammed him against the stone edge of the fountain with the other.
“You thought you could send a fake subpoena to buy time while Vanessa attempts to liquidate the offshore shell companies she built with stolen seed money,” Luca stated, his voice ringing with lethal precision.
Robert gasped for air, his face turning pale as he realized every single move they made was anticipated.
“She’s... she’s desperate, Luca,” Robert choked out, terrified.
“She has nothing left; you destroyed her entire social standing overnight!”
“She brought ruin upon herself the moment she stepped foot onto my family's property twelve years ago,” Luca replied without a shred of pity.
He snapped his fingers, and security guards instantly stepped forward, relieving Robert of his briefcase and pinning his arms behind his back.
“Search every document inside that briefcase,” Luca ordered the head guard.
“And confiscate his phone; trace every call he made within the last two hours.”
“You can't touch me, I'm an officer of the court!” Robert screamed as he was dragged away toward the security holding cells near the back gates.
Luca watched them leave, his expression remaining as hard as granite.
Then he turned slowly, looking back up toward the library balcony where I stood watching.
He walked back across the courtyard, climbing the stone steps two at a time until he reached the doorway.
“Are you alright, Julia?” Luca asked, his voice softening instantly as he looked down at me.
“I am fine, Mr. Moretti... but they won't stop coming, will they?” I asked quietly, realizing the danger we were in.
May you like
“No, they won't,” Luca admitted honestly, stepping closer.
“Which is why I am moving you and your father off the grid entirely by sunset.”
